Method of presenting audible and visual cues for synchronizing the breathing cycle with an external timing reference for purposes of synchronizing the heart rate variability cycle with the breathing cycle

Abstract

The invention consists of a broad method of presenting audible, visual, and sensory cues for synchronizing the breathing cycle with an external timing reference for purposes of synchronizing the heart rate variability cycle with the breathing cycle, thereby achieving coherence of the heart rate variability cycle. A family of audible, visual, and sensory indicators is specified for purposes of communicating breathing phase, change of breathing phase, progression of time within a phase, and progression of the phase relative to the internal perception of the practitioner.

1 . The broad method of presenting audible and visual cues for synchronizing the breathing cycle with an external timing reference for purposes of synchronizing the heart rate variability cycle with the breathing cycle, thereby achieving coherence of the heart rate variability cycle: 
 a) The broad method of using audible indicators to communicate inhalation and exhalation phases of breathing, changes of said phases, progression of said phases in time, and progression of said phases relative to the internal perception of the practitioner.    b) The broad method of using visual indicators to communicate inhalation and exhalation phases of breathing, changes of said phases, progression of said phases in time, and progression of said phases relative to the internal perception of the practitioner.    c) The broad method of using sensory methods other than audible or visual methods to communicate inhalation and exhalation phases of breathing, changes of said phases, and progression of said phases in time.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein audible, visual, or sensory indicators are used individually or in combination to accurately indicate objective breathing phases for purposes of synchronizing the breathing cycle with an external timing reference.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein increasing and decreasing volume is used as the basis of indicating breathing phase for purpose of synchronizing the breathing cycle with an external timing reference.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein recurring recitation of verbal words or commands are employed either audibly or visually to indicate changes in breathing phase.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the recurring recitation of numbers in either natural or reverse order is employed either audibly or visually to indicate changes and progression of the objective breathing cycle.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a recurring change of ears or “channels” is employed to distinguish between inhalation and exhalation phases of the objective breathing cycle.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein changes in the psychoacoustic perception of “space” and “motion” are employed to indicate inhalation and exhalation phases as well as progression of the objective breathing cycle.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the recurring visual appearance and disappearance of an object, and the rate of said appearance or disappearance is employed to indicate both phases and progression of the objective breathing cycle.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a recurring change in the visual size or shape of an object is employed to indicted breathing phases and progression of said breathing phases of the objective breathing cycle.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the movement of a point or area, either up and down, left and right, or any combination and permutation of up and down, left and right, is employed to indicate phases and progression of said phases of the objective breathing cycle.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the motion of a point or object changes in frequency and amplitude is employed to indicate breathing phases and progression of said phases of the objective breathing cycle.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a simple vibratory pulse is applied against the skin to indicate the basic change of breathing cycle.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a recurring increase and decrease in vibration is employed to indicate breathing phases and progression of said phases of the objective breathing cycle.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein increasing and decreasing pressure, for example as applied via a pressure cuff, is varied in accordance with the phases and progression of the objective breathing cycle.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the recurring movement/motion of a body part, for example the mechanical raising and lowering the finger, is employed to indicate breathing phases and progression of said phases of the objective breathing cycle.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein 9 segment linear, circular, and polygonal visual displays are illuminated from 1 to 9 representing inhalation, segments remaining illuminated until the process is reversed upon the exhalation phase. Specific colors are 1=black, 2=red, 3=orange, 4=yellow, 5=green, 6=cyan, 7=indigo, 8=purple, 9=white.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1  wherein 9 musical notes are employed in melodic sequence to represent the inhalation or exhalation phase of the breathing cycle.  
   
   
       18 . The audio visual method wherein 4 regular polygons are illuminated and extinguished in a geometrically contiguous fashion, the display of each indicating the elapsing of 25% or 1.47 seconds of the total interval, along with the coincident occurrence of a distinct note associated with the appearance or disappearance of each polygon.  
   
   
       19 . The audio visual method wherein the movement of the hand of a clock occurs in a clockwise direction beginning at 12 and stopping at 3, 6, 9, and 12, and returns in a counterclockwise direction stopping at 9, 6, 3, and 12, each position indicating the elapsing of 25% or 1.47 seconds of the total interval, along with the audio indication of a clock “tick” occurring coincident with each movement of the clock hand.  
   
   
       20 . The instantiation of specified audiovisual methods in hardware optimized, software optimized, and mechanical instruments.